A teenage star of TV’s Happy Valley is to open a new charity shop for the Huddersfield-based Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.
Rhys Connah, 18, who plays Sgt Catherine Cawood’s grandson Ryan in the BBC drama, is to open the shop in Hebden Bridge, where the series was set.
Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice has announced that the young actor will open the charity’s 14th shop in Valley Road, Hebden Bridge, on Saturday March 18 (1pm).
Their current shop, also on Valley Road, will become their first dedicated kids’ charity shop.
Gareth Pierce, director of income generation at Forget Me Not, said: “What a treat we are in for!
“Like many workplaces, staff and volunteers from Forget Me Not were gripped by Happy Valley. The final episode had us all on the edge of our seats and there was a lot of chat about the series during our tea breaks.
“Although the content of the show was sometimes pretty tough, like many locals we loved spotting local landmarks and even spied a Forget Me Not shop in an episode.
“If you’d told me in January that we’d have one of its central characters coming to our shop opening I wouldn’t have believed you.
“Saturday March 18 will be a pretty special day and a well-earned reward for everyone at Forget Me Not. Our supporters, volunteers and staff together do an amazing job raising the money we need for our vital services supporting children with life shortening conditions and their families.
“Only 6% of our funding comes from the Government so we have to raise over £4 million a year through our charity shops and community activities.”
Eagle-eyed viewers can spot the Forget Me Not shop (above) in Happy Valley Series 1 Episode 2 which is available on BBC iPlayer.
